ROCHESTER — Rochester’s first startup business competition, featuring seven finalists, drawn from the Tri-City area, the Seacoast, and beyond, will take place at 36 Industrial Way (take a left at the top circle) on Thursday, June 6 between 5:30 and 8 p.m.

It will take the form of the TV reality series Shark Tank, in which aspirants make their mini-business pitches, each lasting just a few minutes, to a panel of potential investors. There will be a $10,000 cash prize to the winner, with $10,000 or more in the form of in-kind services such as legal, accounting and office space rental.

The general public, and especially members of the business community, are warmly encouraged to attend this free event, and, they can vote on a People’s Choice, for which there will be an award, separate from that bestowed by the panel.

Before the official pitches are made to the judges, who will be seated on a slightly raised stage, the finalists will be set up in the building, and the public can make the rounds and ask questions of them. There will also be seating, hors d’oeuvres and bar service, similar to a Chamber of Commerce business after hours.